Welcome to the special “20th Anniversary” section of Top Yacht Design. Here, day by day, we present the best stories, yachts, and personalities we’ve covered over the past 20 years of Top Yacht Design, from 2006 to today.
Taken from Top Yacht Design no. 36/2023, pp. 70/76
Baglietto T52: tradition and new elements
Lines of tradition and rich new elements for the new fleet, which opens with a unit equipped with hybrid powertrain.
Just over two years from design to presentation at Portofino last May. To be exact, a gap of only twenty-six months between “A desire to invest in a new project in the segment where our core business lies”. Thus was born the Baglietto T52, a 52.32-meter superyacht that, after receiving immediate feedback from one owner, went on to convince eight other owners. In addition, the first Baglietto T52 presented in Portofino was equipped with hybrid motorization. Francesco Paszkowski, who handled exterior design and joined Margherita Casprini to create the interiors, describes the T52 as “A harmonious synthesis of tradition and the future”. The hybrid propulsion is one significant element in this cutting-edge design, and in the words of Baglietto CCO Fabio Ermetto the yacht marks “A decisive step in the path towards sustainable sailing”.
Combining two 1630 kW MTUs with a pair of 180kW generators and a 297 kW lithium battery pack with a capacity of 594 kW, the first Baglietto T52 has four management modes. It can sailed in the traditional way under diesel power, or the diesels can be linked to the generators to provide electricity for on-board use. The diesel-electric mode can be selected for propulsion, services and battery charging, or the yacht can sail unintrusively in zero emission mode, using the batteries for propulsion and on-board services. The hybrid system anticipates the use of the hydrogen-based Bzero system developed by Baglietto that the yard plans to introduce on yachts over 50 metres by 2027. One of the first T52’s most distinctive features is the outstanding liveability and practicality of its exterior spaces. The 24-metre sun deck, for example, combines with the yacht’s 8.94-metre maximum beam to create a usable area the yard says no other yacht of this size can offer.
The comfort and practicality of the outdoor spaces are complemented by design choices that reflect the distinctive stylistic features of Baglietto’s other displacement yachts. “I’d describe it as evolution rather than just tradition”, says Francesco Paszkowski. “The dynamic, elegant hull lines that give the impression of movement even when the craft is riding at anchor, the sleek bow, powerful stern and compact superstructure all certainly belong to the Baglietto tradition, but the yacht also marks a break from tradition as it includes many new features”. Two of these features can only be described as spectacular – the aft area of the main deck and the connection between the last two upper decks. The aft main deck hosts a retractable plunge pool, a hallmark of Baglietto’s new direction. A section of the deck lowers to open up the pool. When closed, it extends the exterior living area space. The link between the upper decks com-prises a retractable walkway that connects the forward sun and upper decks, generating a single, huge outdoor space. In this way a space that is normally left unused is given a purpose”.
These two elements combine with upper deck veranda and its full-height glass walls. They are made up of sliding, folding elements that “Create a space with the twofold role of outdoor and interior space”. The Baglietto T52’s interior design is contemporary and linear, featuring materials like teak, leather, Botticino marble, stainless steel and aged metal. The colours are light shades and grey. Furniture and complements by famous brands like Fendi Casa, Dedon and Tribù are joined by custom pieces by the Franceso Paszkowski studio. These include the two lounge coffee tables, with different combinations of Botticino marble and natural leather for the tops and aged metal or stainless steel for the legs and base, a teak unit in the living area and free-standing pieces for the outdoor areas. The entire concept reflects a stylistic coherence that on the Baglietto T52 creates what Francesco Paszkowski describes as “A recognisable project within the brand that provides new ideas that I hope are appreciated!” His wish seems to be confirmed by the other six Baglietto T52 models to be built by 2027 in the wake of this first innovative Baglietto T52.
by Emilio Martinelli
photo by Maurizio Paradisi
